In case your
summer of 2014 has not been filled with enough alcohol and delicious food thus
far, make sure to attend The Niagara Wine Trail Wine and Culinary Festival July
26 and 27 at Academy Park in Lewiston, for your fair share.

Tickets are available
at the door for $30 and include one tasting of three wines at each of the 17
wineries expected on location. The tickets are valid for both days, encouraging
a responsible, relaxing tasting experience. A souvenir wine glass will also be
provided, while supplies last.

That relaxed
schedule, from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday includes
music, food and wine pairing, wine trivia, cooking with wine demonstration and
talks by a wine expert and author.

For designated
drivers, attendees under 21 and those uninterested in drinking, there is no
fee. Food is not included in the ticket price.

More than 1,000
people are anticipated to enjoy this weekend's festivities. After six years of
success, new wineries and food options will also be present at the event.

"We're kind of
making it more educational, at the same time we are having more vendors than we
have had in years past." Elizabeth Rose Maute, trail coordinator of Niagara
Wine Trail USA, said.

The wineries
present are located across Niagara, Monroe and Orleans counties, contributing a
diverse range of wine options including, but not limited to, dry and sweet
varieties, hard cider and fruit wines. This assortment differentiates the Wine
and Culinary Festival from others locally.

Maute offered a
few rules of thumb to attendees that are less familiar with wine tasting.

"No. 1 is to have
somebody to drive you around, two is to pace yourself. Try something that you
like, go and get something to eat and come back and try some more." Maute said.
"The point of the wine tasting and the wine festival is to educate yourself on
wine, try some new things and take home some bottles of wine, too."